Hub Dynamos in Australia

[rheicel]

I should probably sell my supernova here if anyone is keen

[eeksll]

I should probably sell my supernova here if anyone is keen

that requires a supernova hub doesn't it?

[rheicel]

I should probably sell my supernova here if anyone is keen

that requires a supernova hub doesn't it?

The supernova hub is exactly the same as the cheaper sp dynmo hub iirc.

[rifraf]

I should probably sell my supernova here if anyone is keen

that requires a supernova hub doesn't it?

The supernova hub is exactly the same as the cheaper sp dynmo hub iirc.

Not so, although they share the SP electrics.

I've read Supernova uses different housings and bearings/seals

[Baalzamon]

I should probably sell my supernova here if anyone is keen

And to think I won't be touching B & M again. Yep eyeballing supernova

[00tones00]

I'd been looking at the B&M Luxos U because of the integrated USB charger and cache battery. Since the build quality doesn't seem to be as sturdy as desired, are there any other options out there with the USB charging +cache or are separate units still the only other way at the moment? I can also see a AXA Luxx70 Plus which has USB charging but no cache. Its reviews seem to be worse than the Luxos though.

[BenGr]

After 3 months on tour I had the charging on my Luxos U fail. My assumption is that the cable leading to the USB port has been jiggled around enough to break the connection. The light itself works fine, and the charge available light works so it must be downstream from that.

With this version the only removable parts are the USB port (plugs into the round plug) and the cables leading to the dynamo, so this failure can't be easily fixed. I feel this is a big design fault of the current version. It may be more waterproof but I can definitely see it happening again. I would be reluctant to recommend the current design, and will likely look at a much more modular system in the future.

I'll look at replacement/refund soon.

[eldavo]

After this I now no longer "trust" a plastic shell light especially if it is a larger light. And I'm wonder how I can "fix" that reliably

If you have a good fit between the broken parts, two part epoxy like araldite would be something I would try. It doesn't sound up to the task for long life with real riding with the other reports piling in.

Mine has only been tested a couple times, so wrapping it in cotton wool, riding smooth paths in fair weather seems the only "fix". The remote switch is a nice feature, but I found the USB charging cables becoming too much bar clutter for usually clean, out of the way dynamo lighting.

It looks like the Klite front bar extension with cache battery and switch the bikepackers are using is getting a modular system more compactly packaged.

[Trevtassie]

I'd be using one of the plastic primers and cyanocrylic (super) glue with powder kits you can buy nowdays.

[warthog1]

My Luxos U is still going strong on the front of my commuter.
I run the 25c tyre at 90ish psi and rattle down a fairly rough, steep, hill on the commute.
No probs after more than 2 years.

[RonK]

No probs after more than 2 years.

They sound like famous last words. Let's hope you haven't invoked the wrath of the gods...

[RonK]

It looks like the Klite front bar extension with cache battery and switch the bikepackers are using is getting a modular system more compactly packaged.

I'm set up like this.

The bar extension is a Trustfire from eBay and costs just a few bucks. The switch is from Klite with one of Kerry's custom 3D printed handlebar mounting adapters.

You'll also need a charger such as a USB e-Werk or Sinewave Revolution. The Sinewave is the most compact, but neither work very well on their own.

You'll need a Xiaomi Mi Power Bank or similar battery pack with pass-through capability to provide sufficiently stable output to charge most devices at typical touring speeds.

Add an Exposure Revo light and you are good to go.

The switch directs current to the Revo when lighting is needed, otherwise it's directed to the battery pack and passed through to whatever device needs charging.

[warthog1]

No probs after more than 2 years.

They sound like famous last words. Let's hope you haven't invoked the wrath of the gods...

I'm not that impressed with it tbh. If it does break I want something with better spread like that one you have.
Here's hoping it doesn't though as those revos are expensive. The Luxos is ok with the saferide 80 as the primary light.

[Trevtassie]

Or a Forumslader which does the lot (apart from the light) in something the size of a potato. You just need a dynamo light with an off switch, light off, charger on.

[hamishm]

I'm set up like this.

No wonder the Luxos U is popular.

I've had mine on the bike permanently for almost two years. The cable outer insulation is coming away from the switch a bit, and the light itself has a tendency to turn on by itself (which is apparently caused by water inside the light) (although it hasn't done this in a couple of months now). Otherwise it's working well, and does a great job at charging the Garmin on 10+ hour riding days.

[RonK]

I'm set up like this.

No wonder the Luxos U is popular.

I've had mine on the bike permanently for almost two years. The cable outer insulation is coming away from the switch a bit, and the light itself has a tendency to turn on by itself (which is apparently caused by water inside the light) (although it hasn't done this in a couple of months now). Otherwise it's working well, and does a great job at charging the Garmin on 10+ hour riding days.

Is it popular? That is questionable.

But horses for courses. There is no way a fork crown mounted light is going to work with my bike packing rig.

And quite clearly the durability of the Luxos is doubtful on anything other than smooth roads.

As previously mentioned, let's hope you haven't just invoked the wrath of the gods.

[eldavo]

Or a Forumslader which does the lot (apart from the light) in something the size of a potato. You just need a dynamo light with an off switch, light off, charger on.

Forumslader google search happening in 3, 2, 1...

[hamishm]

No wonder the Luxos U is popular.
Is it popular? That is questionable.

Yes, among the Audax riders I know, it is increasingly popular. I've known people with complicated setups of dynamo + light + Sinewave revolution + battery switch over. Makes sense for Audax riding because we need good light plus charging for Garmins and the like.

[MichaelB]

For those looking for something different in connectors, have a look at this

Snap connectors on Kickstarter

[Crawf]

Looking for another SP hub, anyone up with best prices atm?
In particular: 700c SD-8, Disc, QR 9x100mm, Black, 24h.

[find_bruce]

Looking for another SP hub, anyone up with best prices atm?
In particular: 700c SD-8, Disc, QR 9x100mm, Black, 24h.

Good luck crawf, I haven't seen 24h anywhere outside of the SP store, ~$185.

Any particular reason you want the low powered SD rather than PD?

[Crawf]

Looking for another SP hub, anyone up with best prices atm?
In particular: 700c SD-8, Disc, QR 9x100mm, Black, 24h.

Good luck crawf, I haven't seen 24h anywhere outside of the SP store, ~$185.

Any particular reason you want the low powered SD rather than PD?

No Bruce, what should I be going for?

[find_bruce]

Any particular reason you want the low powered SD rather than PD?

No Bruce, what should I be going for?

The SD-8 is designed for 20" wheels, which rotate faster at the same speed. While they refer to nominal outputs, as I understand it, the real difference is the low speed performance - ie output is limited by the load from your lights & you will reach your max output at a lower speed with a PD-8 in any wheel than with a SD-8, hence the recommendation to use the “P” series hub dynamos even for small-wheeled bikes.

The other advantage is that PD-8 hubs are more widely available. I'm still not aware of anyone selling the 24 hole version outside of Shutter precision direct & Intelligent design on fleabay

[Crawf]

PD-8 ordered from ID. Like you said, 24h are scarce, and at $177 delivered they've gone up significantly from a few years ago at around $110.

[find_bruce]

Germany is a big market for hub dynamos & seems to have the best prices. You can still get the occasional bargain eg a pd-8, black 32 hole at ~$125 delivered, (€67 + €20 delivery).

If you want an unusual colour or spoke hole combination, you pay a premium.

I suspect their pricing is influenced by the fact that even at $177 the SP dynamos are significantly cheaper than SON & much lighter than the cheaper shimano hubs.